What is the relationship between caffeine and depression? Does caffeine make depression worse?

Answer by Mayo Clinic Psychiatrist Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D:

The exact relationship between caffeine and depression isn't clear. There's no evidence that caffeine â a mild stimulant â causes depression. However, some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than are others. In such individuals, caffeine may worsen existing depression. How or why this occurs isn't clear. But several theories exist.

Although caffeine initially gives you a "lift," it may later have the opposite effect as the effects of the caffeine wear off.
Caffeine can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. A lack of sleep can worsen depression.
Caffeine appears to have some effect on blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes. Fluctuations in blood sugar can be associated with mood changes.
If you have depression, you may consider limiting or avoiding caffeine to see if it helps improve your mood. However, caffeine can be habit-forming. So an abrupt decrease in caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. To lessen these withdrawal effects, gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. For example, drink one fewer can of caffeinated soda or one fewer cup of caffeinated coffee a day.

I agree with this article.
I always had limited caffeine intake, but when I became depressed I became somewhat addicted to caffeine{mostly soft drinks}

I know for a fact that caffeine definitely does nothing to help with anxiety and most of us know that anxiety leads to depression.

I have tried to quit caffeine a few times since depression and would make it a week without indulging...Lately I have been doing really well. The headaches from the caffeine withdrawals are the worst, but I am starting to come out of them and am sleeping a lot better.

I tried gradually reducing my caffeine intake, but that just led to more caffeine intake.{You tell yourself if you have just had a little......a little more won't hurt.....then before you know it, you've drank so much that Dr Pepper gets promoted to Chief Of Medicine!} :shock:

With depression, you always go and develop other issues{I guess so your depression doesn't get lonely }

I think this is true. I know my anxiety levels go through the roof the more caffiene I have & at the moment I have a caffiene addiction that I am trying my best to beat. I drink a 2 litre bottle of Coca Cola in less than a day some days & after I have drank it I tell myself I shouldnt have done it. My insomnia has increased because of this. Im not getting to sleep until 2am. My depression is also the worst it has ever been so I think there could be a link to that also.